DETROIT, MI — Problematic gangs and Detroit's financial woes will not thwart this year's Detroit Target Fireworks on June 25.

"It's been rumored that gang members have some intentions," said Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee Jr. at a press conference Friday. "I need them to
understand the full support that we have... to make sure that this is
going to be a family-friendly event.

"I want to let them know now, we're coming. So if they're thinking about
coming to the fireworks, they may want to take a night off that night."

At the risk of causing "panic," Godbee said he wouldn't elaborate on what the gang "intentions" might be.

Leaders hope to head off any trouble with a proposed emergency curfew requiring kids 17 and under to be indoors by 6 p.m. on June 25. The fireworks start at 10:06 p.m.

Godbee said City Council is set to vote on the curfew next week; and the department plans to conduct "sweeps" of known gang members.

Detroit's police presence will be greater than it has been in several years at the 54th annual fireworks show, said Godbee, but not as great as it was about four years ago when 1,200 Detroit police patrolled the event.

"Last year we were very fortunate," said Godbee. "We didn't have the staffing we needed, quite frankly.

"There were some recalcitrant individuals.. who decided they wanted to come down awreak a little bit of havoc."

The Gang problem could become moot if Detroit can't fund future fireworks.

The city expects to spend $700,000 providing protection at this year's event and is receiving in-kind and grant-funded support from numerous outside law enforcement agencies.

No money is budgeted for the 2013 fireworks or the Thanksgiving Day Parade, both which could be in jeopardy of cancellation.

Jonathan Oosting | MLive.comDetroit Mayor Dave Bing delivers his State of the City address at the Max M. Fisher Music Center on Feb. 22, 2011.

"We need to reach out to other areas in this region," Bing said. "I just want
people to know that we have fiduciary responsibility to live up to our
budget and try to do this on an independent basis is not in the cards.

He also thanked firework sponsor Target.

I'm "hopeful that this partnership with Target will continue for years to come," Bing said. "And hopefully, sooner than later, maybe a store or two of Target will become a place in the city of Detroit."

More information from the city regarding viewing locations for the 54th
annual fireworks, which take place over the Detroit River between
Detroit and Windsor, is forthcoming, Godbee said.

He confirmed viewing at Roosevelt Park, Historic Fort Wayne,
Hart Plaza, Belle Isle Park, parks along East Jefferson; and said the
Riverwalk is open to "pedestrian traffic only" from Orleans to Mount
Elliot Park.

"Any vehicular traffic south of Jefferson, there
will be none," Godbee said. "And those things will be lined up and
communicated very specifically" prior to the event.

Law enforcement from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb County sheriff's departments; state police; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Border Patrol; U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Immigration and Customs; federal Air Marshal, Department of Homeland Security are contributing to the law enforcement presence at this year's fireworks.